Model year 2016 · Midsize Cars, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback at 22–29 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 790 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
22–29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as LEGACY, OUTBACK.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback, newest first.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module
NHTSA 19V910000Reported Dec 19, 2019
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WUX-09)
Units affected
46 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WTD-65)
Units affected
48,819 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Risk
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Power train: Driveline: Differential unit and 1 more component
NHTSA 15V794000Reported Nov 24, 2015
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WQV-57)
Components
Power train: Driveline: Differential unit; Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft
Units affected
3,251 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Risk
If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Power train: Automatic transmission and 1 more component
NHTSA 15V502000Reported Aug 10, 2015
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WQU-56)
Components
Power train: Automatic transmission; Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft
Units affected
2,893 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Risk
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback owner complaints
Owners have filed 790 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback, most recently on Sep 12, 2026. 31 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 16 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
351
Unknown or other
165
Visibility/wiper
100
Engine
60
Power train
54
Steering
40
Vehicle speed control
30
Service brakes
27
Structure: Body
25
Fuel/propulsion system
16
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
